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Further education

You'll find discussions about A Levels and universities on our Further Education forum.

Original poster

IB or A Levels, tentatively thinking of medicine

57 replies

thedoofus · 13/10/2022 10:21

Hello!

I've read through previous similar topics, but this hasn't come up for a while, so thought no harm in asking again Smile.

DD is in Y11. Predicted 8s/9s in everything, solid all-rounder. Generally a high achiever, both academically and in other areas (head girl, lead in school play, peer mentor etc etc). She enjoys all her subjects and is self-motivated. Tentatively thinking of medicine, and hoping to do some work experience soon to explore that further. If she does A Levels, they'll be Sciences - probably Biology, Chemistry, Maths, and possibly one other.

Sixth form college also offers the IB, which I think sounds brilliant (I would have LOVED it when I did A Levels), and would mean she could keep up English and French (the French she especially enjoys and is good at). But consensus does seem to be that it's more work/pressure and I'm interested in people's experiences of that.

DD currently has a part-time job, and while we could finance her not having one, it seems like good experience to continue to work through 6th form. We haven't looked into getting into medical school very extensively, but I guess I'm concerned that the extra work with IB might leave less time to pad out her extra-curricular stuff like work/work experience etc. Also, obviously, I want her to have time to enjoy life. She manages herself and her time well at the moment, but I know how much pressure kids can put themselves under (especially high-achieving girls maybe!) and I think it's important to have time for the rest of life too.

Of course it's her decision to make, but I'd love to hear any thoughts/experiences people have for my own interest.

OP posts:
Original poster
thedoofus · 15/10/2022 11:30

Thanks @TizerorFizz , more food for thought and some useful advice about medicine applications (my own experience of it is limited to an ill-fated relationship with a medical student in my first year at university!).

She's some way off making a decision yet - college open evening and IB open evening aren't until January.

I'm definitely forming the impression that IB is more work and only suitable for high-achieving all-rounders. But DD definitely fits into that category, so I guess it'll just come down to what she likes the sound of the most, and how hard she wants to work. I'm so impressed with her organisation and work ethic so far, but there's a long way to go.

OP posts:
TizerorFizz · 14/10/2022 16:48

IB is more work. Many successful medicine applicants have A levels. So IB isn’t necessary. Does she want to do
it. I think it suits very able all rounders.

Also look at medical schools and what they want. @thedoofus If you post in HE you will get very detailed responses on medical schools and variations! Some like relevant work experience and others less so. My DDs friend did St Johns Ambulance (Bristol University) so make a judgement on academic/life balance. There’s also s
the BMAT tests and numerous interviews to consider as well as academics. So in my view, only do IB if you are super clever and really can fit everything in. The universities treat the qualifications equally.

Also EPQ shows English ability. Most medical applicants have great GCSEs so English should be there. What you would have done is irrelevant.

Original poster
thedoofus · 13/10/2022 10:56

Thank you - these are really helpful thoughts. Your point about volunteering/extended essay/making the IB course work for her with a view to medicine (if that is what she ends up wanting to do) is especially useful @Cosyblankethottea . I totally agree that at this stage it's important to follow your educational interests rather than focus too much on a career, but I think doing any of those things would be beneficial anyway. (I worked in a care home during my university holidays - though my work now is unrelated to it, it was definitely useful life experience.)

OP posts:
Cosyblankethottea · 13/10/2022 10:33

There is much more course work in IB in general than A levels. On average 20 per cent per subject. Personally I think for an high achieving outgoing child that is better than pretty much all riding on a few final exams.

AriettyHomily · 13/10/2022 10:32

I did it IB and would highly recommend. It's a big workload but still plenty of time for socialising, I had a Saturday job too, most of us did.

Cosyblankethottea · 13/10/2022 10:31

Look into whether she can use the service element of the IB to do work experience e.g. care home volunteering, school for children with special needs etc. Important part of being a doctor is showing empathy for others in those kinds of circumstances. She can also use the extended essay task to write about something interesting in the medical field eg. Medical Ethics etc. I would ask the school how many IB students have gone on to study medicine and where exactly. Highers would be Chemistry, Biology, Maths (clarify which type of IB Maths is better for Medicine because there are 2, Subsidiary subjects would be French, English and a social science (I think). Some kids get away with doing psychology somehow if there is an exemption.

greenacrylicpaint · 13/10/2022 10:27

at that age it should be education before employment.

looks like ib would be a good fit for her otherwise. a diverse education should imo be encouraged.